Following a blistering 16-3 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks, the 2-4 Louisville Kings are on the road this week. The Kings head to Audi Field to take on the hottest team in the UFL, the reigning UFL Champion D.C. Defenders.
Head coach Shannon Harris's team is hitting on all cylinders this season. After stunning the Birmingham Stallions 45-28 on the road in Week 5, the Defenders scored another big victory last week over the Dallas Renegades, winning 24-6. Now, they welcome the Kings to the home of the Beer Snake. Find out how the two teams stack up ahead of the game.
Week 7 Preview: The Louisville Kings v. The D.C. Defenders
Acknowledging the Kings face a tough uphill climb for the remainder of the season, Louisville coach Chris Redman told the media after last week’s loss, “We're gonna get better. There’s no quit in this team. There’s still a lot of football to play this year. We’re gonna go. We’re gonna battle.”
D.C Defenders Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu
UFL veteran quarterback Jordan Ta’amu, one of the best in the league, is having an MVP season with an efficiency rating of 99.1. Completing 89 of 140 passes for 1,100 yards with 11 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, Ta'amu is a dual threat this season with his mobility. He has another 174 yards on 40 carries. However, Ta'amu has proved vulnerable after losing three costly fumbles. Nonetheless, he seems to have found another gear this season. In back-to-back weeks, Ta'amu was twice named the “UFL Offensive Player of the Week” for his performances against Dallas and Birmingham.
Louisville Kings Quarterback Chandler Rogers
After an impressive UFL debut against Dallas two weeks ago, Chandler Rogers experienced a rough outing last week, courtesy of the St. Louis defense. However, even in a losing effort, he displayed the kind of leadership that bodes well for his future. Sacked six times and under constant pressure, Rogers didn’t get much support from his offensive line, nor from his receivers, who dropped several critical passes. Nonetheless, he remained calm, didn’t panic, and demonstrated a confident, steady approach throughout the game, rallying the offense and showing his strong leadership.
Speaking to the media this week, running back Ian Wheeler spoke about how Rogers’ confidence sets the tone for the entire offense. “He’s just extremely confident in himself. Chandler enters the huddle with authority. He knows what he’s doing. He knows what we’re all supposed to do. Having a quarterback that’s fully confident in themselves, just knows the offense and trusts that we’re all going to be in the right spots, makes it easier on everyone else because he can play his position. I can play my position. Everyone can just do their jobs….we can all just work together instead of having to worry about whether or not someone else is going to be in the right spot, or whether or not they’re going to do the right thing at that time.”
The Louisville Kings Offense
Two weeks ago, the Louisville offense posted its most impressive showing of the season. Ian Wheeler set a UFL single-game record, producing four rushing touchdowns on 13 carries for 62 yards. Last week, however, the Kings' ground game struggled against the Battlehawks' run-focused defense and was largely ineffective. Making matters worse, running back James Robinson had two big back-to-back plays negated by penalties.
There's plenty of talent among the receiving corps on this team, with WRs Lucky Jackson, Tarik Black, Isaiah Winstead, Kaden Prather, and TE Zach Davidson. Jackson leads the team in receptions, yardage, and touchdowns. Black has the longest reception this season with a 44-yarder. Davidson has 11 catches, 170 yards, and two scores.
The D.C. Defenders Offense
Currently number two in the UFL behind All-UFL Team pro, Jashaun Corbin, Defenders’ running back Deon Jackson has 297 yards on 59 carries with five touchdowns and another 36 yards on 8 receptions. However, after injuring his right shoulder last week, Jackson has been limited in practice, and his status bears monitoring. RB Abram Smith has 39 carries this season for 141 yards with one touchdown.
Second only to Jackson in the offense’s scoring department, wide receiver Ty Scott leads the receiving corps with the most touchdowns. He has three on 14 catches for 209 yards. Cornell Powell is the Defenders' lead receiver with 249 yards and one touchdown on 19 receptions. Wide receivers Erik Ezukanma and Braylon Sanders, along with tight end Briley Moore, are Ta’amu’s favorite targets. Tight end Mason Fairchild scored his first touchdown last week on a 13-yard reception. Wide receiver Javon Antonio only has one reception this season, but he made it count with a 13-yard scoring play.
The Louisville Kings Defense
Despite the losing record, Jamie Sharper's Louisville defense is the best in the UFL. No other team even comes close to meeting the Kings' combined stats of 400 total tackles (239 solo), 12.0 sacks, 6 interceptions, 26 PBUs, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and a blocked kick.
Outside linebacker Cam Gill leads the league with 6.5 sacks. In addition, he has 29 tackles (16 solo), a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery to his credit. Cornerback Corey Mayfield Jr. leads the league, along with Dallas Renegades' CB Shaun Wade, for the most interceptions with three each. In addition, Mayfield has 11 tackles (6 solo) and 5 PBUs.
Jaheim Thomas leads the league with 42 tackles (30 solo) and 2 PBUs. Safety Keaton Ellis continues to be one of the team leaders with 34 tackles (22 solo) and one PBU. A couple of unsung heroes each have 30 tackles, middle linebacker Nick Kubitz and DE Xavier Carlton, who has 1.0 sack to his credit and 2 PBUs.
The D.C. Defense
One of the better defenses in the UFL, Blake Williams' unit has also racked up some impressive stats this season with 328 combined tackles (197 solo), 18.0 sacks, 7 INTs, 29 PBUs, and 7 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and a safety.
Derick Roberson leads the team with 4.0 sacks, along with 22 tackles (16 solo). He shares the team sack lead with cornerback Devonnsha Maxwell, whose big-play ability accounts for 4.0 sacks, 14 tackles (8 solo), and 1 safety.
Safety Sam Kidd is the team leader in tackles with 31 (21 solo), 2 INTs, and 3 PBUs. Safety Deontay Anderson is close behind with 27 tackles (16 solo), an interception, and 2 PBUs. Curtis Jacobs is third on the team in tackles with 23 (13 solo) and 2 PBUs, followed by cornerback Gabe Taylor with 17 (15), 1 INT, 3 PBUs, and one forced fumble. Rounding out the team stat leaders is CB Gareon Conley, who has 15 tackles (12 solo) and 4 PBUs.
Former All-UFL Team cornerback, Deandre Baker, also bears scrutiny, as he's been known to sneak in to make a big play, recently recording an interception.
Special Teams Play
Erik Ezukanma handles kick returns for D.C. He has only five returns for 139 yards. However, he can pose a threat with a 68-yard return to his credit. Xazavian Valladay also handles kick returns. He has 9 returns for 243 yards with a longest of 31 yards. Wide receiver Keke Coutee takes care of punt returns with 11 for 100 yards.
Kick return duties for Louisville have been handled by Jaden Shirden, Tyler Hudson, and Wheeler. Shirden is the primary kick returner with 13 returns for 327 yards, while Hudson and Wheeler each have 4 returns. Last week, Hudson had an impressive 51-yard return. Wheeler contributed a 44-yard return this season as his longest.
The Kings' field goal kicker, Tanner Brown, is one of the best in the UFL. He's converted 15 of 17 field goals this season (88.2%), including four of five over 50 yards and a longest of 59 yards.
UFL veteran kicker Matt McCrane is one of the league leaders with two of three field goals of 60-yards to his credit. He’s converted 13/17 attempts.
Erik Ezukanma handles kick returns for D.C. He has only five returns for 139 yards. However, he can pose a threat with a 68-yard return to his credit. Xazavian Valladay also handles kick returns. He has 9 returns for 243 yards with a longest of 31 yards.
The Defenders host the Kings at Audi Field on Saturday, May 9, 2026. The action gets underway at 1:30 pm EDT, and the game will be televised on FOX.
The over/under is set at 47.5 with the Defenders favored by 10 points.